Standup4coffee

Two Fridays ago I just happened to have a Friday off. I also just happened to be bummed about bailing on the Stormy 50miler. It also happened to be a Standup4coffee trip day! Had to do it. SUP(stand up paddle board) from Nexen Beach in Squamish to Britannia Beach for coffee at Galileo coffee shop. Doesn't that sound just about perfect? Well it was. The trip took two hours. Weather was perfect and the sea was calm. The seals were extra curious, popping up behind my board to say hi. After an amazing paddle we grab the boards and cross Hwy 99 to get to the coffee!!!! Spent the next 45minutes chatting with new friends before been shuttled back to Nexen. How perfect. Have I mentioned that?
Thanks Norm! http://www.mountainsurfadventures.com/
Check out the pics:

Decisions

Well I didn't end up doing Stormy this year. So my Stormy love affair is not over! Hard decision to make let me tell you. I found myself dreading each and every workout. Even when I got out the door I wasn't enjoying the run. Rain or shine. Good company or not. I didn't want to go into my first 50 miler with a negative attitude-especially Stormy. My first 50 miler is supposed to be an exciting challenge. One I'm stoked, and scared, to take on. At one point I thought "what the hell, I'll just do it." Then decided that if I got injured or dropped it would have an even more negative impact on me. So I decided not to do it. Jen Segger(coach) was very supportive and understood where I was at. She knows damn well I will do it next year, and that I need a break. I've trained hard for a year now (Coastal Challenge 2010), and for Stormy. Burnt myself out. So lesson learned for me personally: ONE major goal a year. Stormy 2011-can't wait!!!!

My Stormy Love Affair

My Stormy Love affair started in:

2007
At this stage I have just stared getting into running. I've run a couple of 5 peaks races, and am up into the 1hr range. I don't think there's much sense in running for more than an hour, because really-why? I'm working at daycare one day, minding my own business when one of the kids Dads (Dennis) comes in.
"Shannon you run right?"
Well.....
" We need a runner for the last leg of the Stormy"
Storm-what?
"Its only 11K"
Maybe-when is this...
"Its tomorrow"
Oh, well.
"We're really stuck"
Ok. Sure. I meet the team at 6am the next morning to send them off. I go back to bed. *Bring* phone rings "We're moving faster than we thought-you'll be running soon." Shit. I get up, get to my stage, see my teamate, do the high five send off, and I'm running. As I'm running it occurs to me that A) Every-ones at the finish waiting for me, B) I have some time to make up, and C) I'm not a team player and 6 people are relying on me, and D) I better get the f moving. I do the 11.2k in one hour. It felt awesome having teamates cheer me through the finish. This is when I realize that not only do people run the entire 50 miles on their own-there is a 100 mile option as well. Seriously???What a bunch of freaks.

2008
In the past year I've done some 20-25ks. They were fun. I meet Tammy. Tammy says,
"Hey do you want to do half the Stormy with me? Well this seems like a natural progression sorta thing to do. Its just an extra leg added onto last years 11.2 leg. Why not. The 22.8k, 9 mile hill leg!!!!!!!!! Oh mother of pearl, now what have I agreed to. I do the 35k in 4hrs. I learn a new word: Ultra. Hmmm...wonder if I could ever do the entire 50 miles? OMG shut up Shannon.

2009
Well as life would have it I've now done some 25ks, and completed a marathon. Oh and signed up for a little 240km run across Costa Rica. Um what? Yes. WTF? How did that happen? I'm a little impulsive some say. Jen Seggers got 7 months to train me for this. This year I do the same last two stages in the Stormy as a training run with future friend and Costa Rican teamate Jude.
After not only beating last years Stormy 35k by 13minutes, I complete the Costa Rica 240k in 39hrs, done some more marathons, and am now ready for....

2010
My first Ultra-Marathon. Goal: 50miles in under 11hours.
Story: too be continued...

Summer Solstice Trail Marathon

This was my make it or break it race. I have been feeling love/hate about running lately, and was unsure of how I'd react to 42.2km, 1866m elevation trail marathon. I'd been a bit slack in my training as well. If this race sucked I was going to postpone my first 50miler until next summer.
Sooooo....the weather was overcast-perfect. My mood-great. Energy-lots of it. What I loved about this race was there were maybe 30 runners entered. I met running great Adam Campbell(he won). Maybe if I wasn't introducing myself to him during the course briefing I wouldn't have gotten lost! (that story coming up). Felt very cozy as I got to know some great new people. One of which was Andie. We ran up Grouse, and down Old Mountain Hwy together. She was telling me her daughter wants her ears pierced at 7-I told her to just let her. I shared my struggles with training lately-she told me I'm burnt out. Moments like these are why I love racing. Struggling up a mountain and talking about life with a complete stranger. Then I got lost and didn't see Andie for the rest of the race :( Getting lost is an exaggeration. I simply did these two loops in the wrong order. I saw flagging and just turned off to follow it. Poor 80yr old race volley didn't tell me I had to do that loop 2nd as A) she was 80, and B) my bib was on my pack so she didn't realize I was racing. Well I didn't quite realize my mistake until I saw Adam Campbell running lightning fast towards me. We waved, I ran, the loop looped, and I realized: "This.Is.Not.Right. I SHOULD NOT be behind Adam Campbell. Shit." All said and done it made no difference.
Nearing the end I hit an aid station where I promptly ate about 3 cut up oranges. I couldn't stop! Most Delicious. And sorry to anyone who may have wanted oranges running behind me. Left that aid station as Chickie said "8k to go!" Yippee!!! I get going with heavy legs. I run for about 30 minutes when I come up to another aid station. As I run by Chickie says" Only 8k to go!" Well WTF. I know better than to believe what I'm told about km countdowns-but still. Of course the trail meanders through the forest, and I know I'm close to been back near Grouse. I think its almost time for the downhill sprint to the finish when *gulp* flagging leads me back up Grouse Mountain. Mother%&$^^. Was stoked when I did end up on that downhill sprint to the finish, in at 6:18. Andie was there cheering me on-she'd thought I'd injured myself so she was thankful to hear I'd only done the route ass backwards. I sat at the finish for awhile, freezing my ass off at the Summer Solstice race. How ironic.
I must say now that Summer Solstice is done, I can solely focus on the Stormy 50 miler and I'm feeling super pumped for it! Then I'll take some chill time, do some smaller races, and become a fair weather runner!

Bit of Bypolar

Running has been an emotional roller coaster for me lately. One day I love it, googling every run, race, and runner that exists. I day dream of destination races, and achievements. The next day I hate running, and exercise in general. Wishing I was a lazy couch potato and OK with that. Never want to run again, and don't get why people do it in the first place. I blame the weather. Its cold and wet. I trained in cold and wet for Costa Rica and I guess I'm over it. I knew the Iron Lung 25k (May 30th) would give the drive and motivation I so require. Just pinning my bib number on my shorts was enough of a rush. I had so much energy and enthusiasm during that race. I was worried my mind and body wouldn't show up. So glad I was wrong. I had a great race, it was a beautiful day and a fun course. It was just what I needed to get back in the game!
Summer Solstice in a couple weeks!
I'm now excited about upcoming runs, races, and goals!

Not MY best friend

I know you love your dog(s) and think they can do no wrong. They are the apple of your eye, and they love you unconditionally. Well they don't love me unconditionally so call off the hounds. I hate how nervous I get while running in the trails and coming upon unleashed dogs. Most dogs could care less, and breeze by me. That's cool. Its the ones that are jumping happily all over me while the owner says "He's just friendly." I don't want friendly dog slobbering over me mid run, thanks. Get him off me. Then I find said dogs stupid hair in my food days later??? Gross. Or the dog that sprints full tilt towards me, playing chicken with me on the trail, when just as I'm about to jump into the ditch it darts slightly right, grazing my shorts as it passes. "Awe....wasn't that cute" the owners gush. Cute?!!! Here, have my shorts I just soiled-hows that for cute? Yesterday I had a dog growling at me as it bounced back and forth deciding whether to attack me. That owners response? " We just got him from a shelter, so he's still figuring out who is good or bad." Welllll....I'm not out here to be your mother f&$%*king guinea pig! Test him out in a prison yard!

A couple of weeks ago a dog actually made contact, ripping my 100$ jacket with his teeth. I just wanted to get up the bloody Chief and beat my personal best time, but noooooo the owner was so upset she was crying all over the place, saying "that's never happened before." Ya well it just did.

I do like the dogs that just come out of nowhere and run with me for a bit. That is until I worry he's adopted me as his future freaky dog owner.

Oh and believe me I can't wait to get a dog to run with. Will I put it on a leash? Probably not-that's just cruel. He'd be friendly and oh so cute, and would NEVER jump on you. He could do no wrong.

Vancouver Island Quest - Trailer

Slow cookers and babies.

Ok, this has nothing to do with running, but was too funny not to share.

I work with 3-5 yr olds.
The other day one of the Moms(A) took her son (J) to the pool. (J) is 4 years old. This is their conversation:

J: We have two new teachers at school that are sisters. They are only here for three weeks and then they are leaving. They are learning how to take care of their own babies.
A: I don't think they are old enough to have their own babies, they are probably learning to be teachers. Like Shannon Bananon, she is a teacher and is not ready to have babies yet. She needs to find a man.
J: Ya, she needs to find a man.
A: You need to go back to school and tell Shannon that she has to trade in her slow cooker for a man.
J: Ya, because you can't make babies with a slow cooker.

And thats not all!

I was so incredibly proud and excited to check my mail today. My coach, and life motivator is on the cover of my Canadian running magazine! And that's not all, she had a 5 page spread, pictures and an amazing article! I was even mentioned! Well kinda, not really. " Segger coached a number of runners to success at TCC's Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica this January" Yes she sure did!

And that's not all, Gary Robbins who got me into running in the first place is featured in the magazines Elite Q and A section! And that's not all! Fellow competitors Stacey Shand and Margaret Phillips are mentioned in the Route of Fire, Coastal Challenge write up on page 23!

Wow-so cool to know all these amazing athletes. This Canadian trail running magazine will never leave me. So proud of everyone!

Slave to the Puppet Master Once Again!

Well I've been having trouble jumping back in the running saddle. After a great week of R and R after the race I returned to Squamish and quickly jumped on the Olympic band wagon! Watching ridiculous amounts of tv, spending every weekend in Whistler, and crying at Tim Horton commercials. I didn't run for 2 weeks. Since then I've pressed snooze way too many times, and made up every excuse in the book not to go. Fellow runners from the Coastal Challenge are reporting finishing local marathons, and ultras. I was starting to feel guilty!
So my big goal for the summer is the Stormy 50 miler. Thought I could just maintain my fitness and do it on my own. Not the case. I will once again become Jen Seggers personal puppet! I can't wait to log into Training Peaks once again. I can't wait for everyday to feel like a personal achievement! I can't wait to work towards goal, and feel as though I have purpose once again!

Stage 6

Stage 6

Km: 22km

Time: 3:30

What a beautiful sleep I had last night. I wake up at 5:15 on this glorious last day of racing. I roll over and open my eye. Yes eye. Apparently that bee/wasp is having the last laugh. I open my tent door only to see the Italians who look me in the eye, nod their heads, and then start laughing profusely. Its contagious. I laugh. Its only an eye, its the last day, and yes its pretty funny. My eye is swollen shut. I make my first visit to the DOC. He gives me two shots in the arm, one in the ass, and a little yellow pill. I take it all not having any idea what he's just injected in me. The DOC warns me that I will have no depth perception for the last 22km of this 220km race. He'll only let me run if I take it cautious on the slippery rocks along the ocean. Sure. Whatever. Seriously if this is the worst thing to happen to me in a 6 day run through the jungles of Costa Rica-I'll take it! Takes awhile to get used to running with one eye, I'm tripping all over the place as I can't decipher a pothole from an anthill. Feel a little wobbly drunk, and blurry. Oceans up next, and the rock hopping is too fun to take it easy! My shoulders are blistering from heat and sun exposure. I'm running along the rocks when I see King Richard. "100 meters to the finish!" he yells. No way. Really? I don't believe it. I rock hop like a little rock hopper would, get back on the sand and I see the finish! I run over the messages in the sand: "Way to go", "you did it", "you're amazing." I cross the finish, Jude's running towards me, beer in hand, arms outstretched for a finish line hug. Shes about to say my name...when thump, stumble, oof. She trips on a coconut, rolls ass over tea kettle, beer stays upright, and shes back on her feet. "That's the first time I've fallen all race!" she says as I finally get my Jude hug. Awe....

Beer time, and the eye is trying to open. First beer is heaven on earth like everyone said it would be. We wait for Jen to come through the finish. She has blisters for feet. Jen comes through! You did it Jen. What a freaking trooper! Now the rough part: cervezas poolside for hours on end. Sharing stories with new lifelong friends. High-fiving, whoop-whooping, sharing war stories and injury's, replaying the heartaches, tears, and pain. What we talk about the most though? Next year. See ya then amigos!

Stage 5

Stage 5

11.5km+20.4km (split)

Time: 1.20+ ?(Can't remember)

Alarm goes off at 4:45am. That's considered a sleep in! The expedition category does the first 11.5km, then gets bussed to the 20.4km start where the Adventure category joins us. Four woman are left in the expedition category-and I'm one of them!!! Today's a hot one and the almost 2hr break between runs doesn't help me in any way. Five minutes into race number two and my legs are just not there. They feel so heavy. Plus its 35+C as we start up "death shit prickle Mtn." as Jen calls it. We're getting scratched up. That's not a problem. Its the climb in that heat. I'm getting dizzy, and trying hard not to puke, but this seemingly small Mtn. climb just isn't ending. Not sure I've ever been so hot, and just when I am about to puke we reach the top. Its breezy and in the shade. I take a minute to cool down, and drink. Then its time for the descent down "death shit prickle Mtn." I'm feeling good, trying not to touch any thorny branches (we were warned ahead of time not to touch anything), when I hear the buzz, and feel the hot electricity of a bee/wasp clinging to my eyelid. I pull it off and immediately realize I need to get off "death shit prickle Mtn." before I swell up! I rip through to the bottom, dying of thirst, and PC#1 is out of water. So I trudge on to PC #2. I take it easy as its hot and I'm waterless. See tons of Monkeys on the way to PC#2! I know the finish is on the beach today, so I keep running in hopes of seeing the beach! I'm pretty stoked to run along the sand to the finish. Absolutely beautiful! My eye doesn't swell! Perfect! I finally have a decent shower, and take the fly off my tent so I can stare at the star filled sky, and listen to the ocean waves. I'm so lucky!

Stage 4

Stage 4

46.5km

Ascent:1550m

Time: 7:18ish? (Forgot to turn watch off)

Alarm goes off at 3:30am. Seriously am I done this thing yet! Pack up tent, and put on my now disgusting running cloths. Great news: no time cut off today!!!!! Phew-pure relief. My body feels like new, I have a great day. Run it all, and feel fantastic! Alot of fun BCish running trails through forests, and along paved and dirt roads. It was a hot one. The heats showed up as we get closer to the coast. Last 2km: straight up narrow path lined with prickle bushes on the right, barb wire fencing on the left, so careful what you grab! White faced monkeys stalking me in the trees above. I head down the other side to the river! I literally swim,crawl, get pulled by ropes, and rock hop to get up the river. Four guys pass me here as river wading is not my specialty! I'm grumpy about that, but then I see the finish. Which is smack in the middle of a waterfall-no joke! Judes not feeling great, and Massimiliano(Max) is lost. I get bussed back to camp after chilling in the waterfall. I fall asleep for two hours, and only wake because I think I hear an ice cream truck? I do! I do!!!! Ice cream bike. Best ice cream ever. I go back to sleep. Go to dinner, Max arrives. He ran 70km today instead of 46! He's laughing and smiling about it amazingly enough! Max tells me Judes in the medical tent. I go over to see whats up. I'm emotionally and mentally not prepared for what I see. Judes lying on the cot, eyes closed. IV hanging from a branch, leads to her wrist where I see a heart rate thing on her fingers. Four different people working on her. I'm taken aback. I start crying, as I have no idea what to do. Shes a Mom! A wife! How do I get her home? Duggie the foot DOC can see I'm shocked, and sends me to dinner. This happens all the time, she'll be ok, he says. WTF is going on! I sit for dinner, when Duggie comes and gets me-Judes awake. As soon as I see her I tear up. I say something stupid, and she laughs-making her heart rate go up! Awe...We both laugh and watch it go up. Judes trying to eat and hydrate. She sleeps in my tent that night as decisions weigh heavily on her mind. Ego's telling her to keep running(shes won everyday thus far, and has it in the bag), sensible side is telling her to keep her health-she has a two year old who needs his Mommy when she gets back. A healthy 100% Mommy. Jude doesn't run the next day. She had a tough decision to make, but I know she will go far in this sport, and kick ass in all future events! Proud to know you Jude. Love and admire you!

Link to race pics from Route of Fire 2010:

http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=517358812&k=55B63V6ZWTX1VGLEXJ4VPVWUQUDJWU&oid=308614658317

Pics from after the race relaxing!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=147517&id=517358812&l=3e436fd67a

Stage 3

Stage 3

33 km

Cumulative Ascent: 1550m

Time: 7hrs, 40 min.

Alarm goes off at 4:30 am. I feel like I should be spending the day in the ICU, not running all day-again. It hurts to move. The wind hurts. I can barely get through the early morning motions. Why did I even push to make that cut off? Now I'm stuck with all the good runners, doing all the long runs! LOL. Judes doing awesome. Jen has been moved to the Adventure category. Shes bumbed about that-but still positive. Every runner is going through their battles. I know its not just me. That helps. Today I pretty much walk the entire 33km in 7 hrs 40 min. Lose alot of time today. Uggggg... saw plenty of rainbows, and too many cows. I'm beat when I finish. Feet are up ASAP. I decide to get a massage today. Dudes telling me to relax, and I try my hardest. My heads down, my eyes are closed. Massage dude disappears. I finally look up and it turns out dude saw a type of coral snake under the table, he grabbed a shovel, whacked it, and ran it outside! Ok, so back to relaxing... The race staff gave out some funny awards tonight and Jen got an award for falling the most! 20 times in one day. Nice work lady, just means you were trying hard!

Stage 2

Stage 2
62.4k
4,280m cumulative ascent.
Time: 11hrs, 43mins.

Alarm goes off at 4am. I put my still soaked running cloths from yesterday on, and pack up my tent. Breakfasts were mostly rice,beans, and eggs. I learned to omit the rice beans combo. I am feeling stiff already, and am very nervous about making the PC#2 cutoff. If I don´t get to PC#2 by 6hrs,30mins I get get cut to the adventure category(shorter distance race). PC#2 was located at km 35. Seems reasonable right? Not when there is 1,376m elevation climb that is calve deep, thick mud mixed with cow dung. My shoe actually came off and was stuck in the slop! Two steps forwards, one step back. So frustrating-especially with a time deadline. Earlier that morning the run started with three river crossings. I almost missed one river-lucky Jen was calling my name and I quickly realized I´d missed a turn. Thanks Jen! We then proceeded through cow patty hell. I was basically getting my legs cut up by prickly grass, then running through muddy cow dung mash. Just when I think it can´t get any grosser, this route leads to a water/mush combo I sludged through. Then starts the pre-mentioned mud/dung climb to the top. I´m greeted at the top by Eric, who is huddled under a blanket shaking like a crack head. He says"5k to PC#1" I actually felt bad for him freezing his arse off! Then I gunned it out of there. I get in, and out of PC#1 quickly, and am now focused on the dreaded cut off PC#2. My timings looking good, but who knows what sort of terrain I have in store? If its anything like the last 15.5k I´ll never make it. If its run-able-I´ll make it. But looky here-downhill! I race down all stoked, then boom. Up, up, and more up. Wind, rain coming at me sideways, stinging my face. My visor and Sunny's seem quite ridiculous at this point. More climbs, and the time is ticking. One hill is so steep I feel my self sliding backwards. A local offered me a ride. Oh how I wish! Near the top I stop to talk to some cows who are curiously checking me out. So I entertained them with some hot topics of conversation. On I go, up and I see the ambulance!!!! Whats the news? He says 6k to PC#2. My watch is at 5hrs. That's 1.5hrs I have to do 6km. Which means nothing in this race. I know I´ll be crying at the PC either way. I gun it, I stop, I stumble, I gun it again, stop, flounder, complain to my ego a bit, keep going, no I can´t make it, I gun it, oh man another hill, I want to cry, just go forwards. Ugggg!!! My quads are killing me! This is stupid, why? Why?! Who cares about a cut off anyway? Blah, blah, blah--the PC!!!!!!!! I see it! Tim's just ahead of it, he says"You made it with a half hour to spare!" Yah I did!!!! YESSS!!!! I sit. Ditch my mud caked socks, eat and drink. Massimiliano (Italy), and Melida(Costa Rica) come through just in time as well. The three of us mission on. Massimiliano(Max) partner's not there. He thinks Filippo won´t make it. The three of us spend the next 5 something hours trying to communicate. Delirious giggles, communication break downs, and sheer elation. We´re cruising along, when who runs up behind us? Filippo! He made it! Yah! Hugs, and high fives all around. It was awesome. I eat 8 boiled potatoes at PC#3. Who knew those were so damned good? We take off to the wind turbine section, which means its windy. None of us had any muscle control, we were hurting, and tired. The wind had no problem moving us around. We looked like a bunch of drunks stumbling all over the place, and crashing into each other. I have video of it-pretty funny. Finally at hour 10 I take my first pee. This is after about 8 litres of water-at least. Now we have to maneuver between barb wired fences. Not easy when I can´t even lift my leg up-let alone balance my body between sharp, rusty barbwire! We get to the finish just as the sun is setting. LOL. Everyones already eating dinner. I´m a mess. Its really windy, cold, and wet. I have a cold shower in a dark cold room. I put my thermarest down on the concrete floor in the eating area (I can´t deal with putting up my tent right now), and I fall asleep.

Stage 1

Stage 1
24.3k
1550m cumulative ascent
Time 4hrs, 34min

Alarm goes off at 3:30am. We all get bused to the race start in La Fortuna, a 3hour drive on a very windy road. I throw up all over my only pair of pants. Nerves? Motion sickness? Probably a good combination of both. Our personal ambulance led the racers out of town towards the road that takes us running up to Arenal Lake. Dry, hot climb. Then it was more climbing in the jungle. Felt like it was raining in there, even though I could see blue skies through the canopy. Descent was muddy and slippery! Accomplished my first river crossing, and ran along a suspension bridge towards a waterfall. The last hill climb towards the finish had an additional challenge for me: Horses. My biggest fear. They were scattered all over the road in front of me! This would be the first time I cry this week. I had to get through. I plugged my ears, and ran through, yelling "La, la,la,la!" They could really care less. I got to the top and joked with the paparazzi. They said: "Well I hope you don´t mind bulls and cows then?" I thought they were joking. No. Bulls and cows were laying down everywhere in front of me. I slalomed around them towards the descent into Margot Ranch. Day one done! Rest, relax, recover. Set up tent, have a freezing cold shower, and eat!

Guest blog #2

Shannon is now done running!!! She is most likely drinking a cervesa and eating, laughing and sharing stories from the past 6 days. Here is an article on her experience and a picture! She's on the beach till the 13th, where she'll be sunbathing, snorkeling, and most likely, not running.
Dawno


http://running.competitor.com/2010/02/news/daycare-teacher-stars-in-day-five-of-the-coastal-challenge_8186

Guest blog post by Dawn

Shannon is through 3 stages so far.
Quick recap
Stage 1: 25km She finished in 4:34:34.
Stage 2: 62 km She finished in 11:37:15 This day was wet and windy at first so I think Shan felt comfortable with that at least!
Stage 3: 29.3km and she came in 5th place for females at 7:38:39. She's 8 minutes back from 4th!

Tomorrow they head up a steep long ascent before a nice rolling fast route, I think it's 30km. Hopefully her legs are getting some rest. She's half way done!!
I'll post more as I get updated- Dawn

Self Torture is Pricey

I have to wonder why I have paid so much money to be repeatedly tortured. Not only has Jenn Segger tortured me on a daily basis for 7 months, but along with that comes the price of having someone poke needles deep into my muscles, and wiggle this needle around awhile! Then there is the membership for the claustrophobic heat chamber. On the contrary I regularly sit in an ice bath for 10-15minutes after spending hours running in the cold wet rain. Where does this lead me? Well I paid thousands to have the "opportunity" to run in the hot jungles of Costa Rica. Paid thousands to experience running through rivers amongst poisonous snakes. Yes, and how do I pay for these forms of torture? I collected smelly mouldy empties, sold my beautiful 42" flat screen, sold my dressers, clothes, sold coffee/muffins at work, and spent Saturday nights babysitting instead of going out and meeting the man of my dreams! VISA is also a major sponsor. Crazy thing? I enjoy it, and can't wait for these 6 days.
Time to go back into therapy?

Heat Training!

So the purpose of heat training is to teach my body how to tolerate heat and intake and process large volumes of water.
Here's the break down: Two weeks straight of heat sessions. Two wet(steam), the rest dry(sauna). Consume 2-3 bottles of water, one containing electrolyte replacement. Day one starts @15 minutes leading up to 60 minutes on day 14.
After calling every hotel and B &B in town I finally found a hotel with a sauna. I haven't thought of saunas since I was like 8. Who uses these things anymore anyways? On my first day of heat training I sat in the bloody thing for 15 minutes thinking it wasn't hot enough. Turns out you have turn it on. Day one, round two worked much better. Except for the fact I have to wait 10-15 minutes for it to warm up. It still didn't feel unbearable though. Oh that's because, I'm told, its actually broken. Missing two out of the three elements. Great. Well at least tomorrows heat sess is a wet one, and I can use the steam room at the public pool. Oh guess what? Its broken too. Just on the day I need to use it though. I can at least read/text in the sauna. Steam room-not so much. I've found this to be a form of torture. I am getting used to it though as the sessions get longer and longer. Although the heat is so intense my earrings burn my cheeks, my water bottles hurt to touch, and I have to hold my book with a towel so my hands don't burn! Oh and a shout out to the gentleman who sings Opera ballads at the top of his lungs while soaking in the hot tub! I sit in the sauna listening to his amazing voice and get hypnotized by his sound. I would also like to thank Opera guy for warming up the sauna for my 6pm arrival-real time saver! Well only four heat sessions left, which means(yikes) four days until I fly out!

Taper Time!

Ok I did it!!!!! 9 hours total this weekend-hardest weekend ever! Hardest part of the training is over, taper time!!!!! I am so so incredibly proud of myself for completing and sticking to 7 months of the hardest training I've ever done!

Just gotta get to the 17th!

The last two weeks of hard training are a dozer!

Sat, 2nd. 4hrs

Sun, 3rd: 2.5hrs run, followed by 1hr powerwalk

Mon, 4th: Rest

Tues, 5th: 1:45hrs with pickups

Strength(gym)

Weds, 6th: 2.5hrs steady

Thurs, 7th: Hill repeats 1.5hrs

Strength (gym)

Fri, 8th: Rest

Sat,9th 4hrs 20 min

Sun,10th: 2.5hrs run, followed by 1.5hr powerwalk

Mon, 11th: Rest

Tues, 12th: 2hr with pickups.

strength (gym)

Weds,13th: 2.5 hrs

Thurs:,14th Hill repeats 1.5hrs

x-train 1hr, my choice elipitical or bike

HEAT TRAINING STARTS

Fri, 15th Rest

Sat, 16th 4hrs

Sun, 17th 5hrs w/ pickups

Then the hard work is done, and the taper begins!

Matthew Wilder - Break My Stride (Solid Gold)

When I start to fade and think I can go no longer during a run, this song always pops in my head and keeps me going! These video images will now pop in my head as well, and keep my laughing till the finish!